TV series
If Arthur Conan Doyle based Sherlock Holmes on a real person to any degree, it was on his former professor, forensic pathologist Dr. Joseph Bell. This series recounts the fictional murder investigations that Bell might have undertaken with the assistance of young student Doyle.
Availability
Checked Sep 3, 2026
Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes premiered September 4, 2001. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
If Arthur Conan Doyle based Sherlock Holmes on a real person to any degree, it was on his former professor, forensic pathologist Dr. Joseph Bell. This series recounts the fictional murder investigations that Bell might have undertaken with the assistance of young student Doyle.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
When one of his new patients comes in complaining of having hallucinations of a strange masked cyclist following her home, Dr. Doyle calls on his friend Dr. Joseph Bell to assist him with checking in to the young lady’s situation.
Directed by Tim FywellWritten by David PirieGuest stars Alexander Armstrong, Simon Quarterman, Paul Butterworth, Malcolm Sinclair, Andrew Woodall
Episode 2
Dr. Doyle has a strange encounter supposedly with his deceased fiancée while attending a séance … leaving him depressed and pining for her even more — unfortunately for him though, the serial killer he and Dr. Bell have been investigating intends to unite him with her in the not so distant future.
Directed by Paul MarcusWritten by Paul BillingGuest stars Henry Goodman, Roger Lloyd Pack, Dermot Crowley, Clare Holman, Tim Potter, Jake Wood, David Hayman, Tim Woodward
Episode 3
When a not-so-ancient corpse is found in place of an Egyptian mummy during a public unwrapping, the investigation leads Drs. Bell and Doyle in to the den of a bombing conspiracy.
Directed by Simon LangtonWritten by Stephen GallagherGuest stars Miles Richardson, Crispin Bonham-Carter, John Sessions, Ian McNeice, Caroline Carver, Warwick Davis
Episode 4
When the acquaintances of a suicide victim are found murdered, opposing opinions about the investigation ignites a feud between Dr. Bell and an old adversary from the police department.
Directed by Paul MarcusWritten by Daniel BoyleGuest stars Rik Mayall, Annette Crosbie, Beatie Edney, Anton Lesser, Ronald Pickup, Henry Ian Cusick, David Gant, Gregor Truter
Episode information updated Sep 3, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes.
Charles EdwardsArthur Conan Doyle
Ian RichardsonDr. Joseph Bell
Alexander ArmstrongTurnavine
Simon QuartermanBaynes
Paul ButterworthFainting man
Malcolm SinclairBlythe
Andrew WoodallGreenwell
Henry GoodmanDe Meyer
BBC OneUnited Kingdom
GBHUnited States
